Complimentary Attitude

There are two guys, you may have seen

On news around the nation

Who shout their compliments out loud

To strangers of all stations

I watched the news, and chuffed a bit,

You know they're from our town

But I had never seen them speak

And play the happy clown

But then today, while at the park

Amongst a wandering crowd

I heard them compliment my beard

With voices very loud

I turned and twirled my waxed mustache

And gave them more to cheer

Then surfed the flowing herd away

Beyond where I could hear

While walking to the parking lot

I thought back on the feeling

The stranger's shouted kindnesses

Were in a small way, healing

In our real lives we're bumped around

And battered by ill will

What we see on breaking news

Can make us feel a chill

We've seen when disdain's tossed about

By gangs of laughing guys

They think they've scored some major points

When someone hurts and cries

It can seem no good will happen

In the coming days

Then something nice is shouted out

And clears a little haze

I've said before and will repeat

As often as I'm able

A statement couched in positives

Brings grace to any table

We choose each second how to act

Be polished or be crude

Most often then, the choice for me's

A complimentary mood.

Richard Higley © Aug 2012